Philippines Mining or Food Case Study 1 Midsalip

Philippines

Philippines: Mining or Food
Case Study 1: Iron Ore & other Minerals,
Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur - Mindanao
Island
by
Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks
for
The Working Group on Mining in the Philippines
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs
The Brundtland Report, Our Common Future,
UN World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987
In a world overflowing with riches, it is an outrageous scandal that more than
826 million people suffer hunger and malnutrition and that every year over 36
million die of starvation and related causes. We must take urgent action now.
Jean Ziegler
UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, April 2001
DEDICATION
The Working Group on Mining in the Philippines and the authors respectfully
dedicate this report to all the courageous and dignified people who have been
killed while protecting the environment and upholding human rights in the
Philippine archipelago.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those
of the participating or supporting organizations. The authors have, however, done
their utmost to reflect the views of the many people they met in the Philippines and
the views and reports of the people and organizations who have commented on earlier
drafts if this report.

© Copyright Working Group on Mining in the Philippines 2008
First Published in 2008 by the Working Group on Mining in the Philippines,
28 Redington Road, London, NW3 7RB, United Kingdom
wgmpuk@tiscali.co.uk
ISBN Number: 978-0-9560616-0-7
Report authors: Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks
Report editors: Cathal Doyle, Ellen Teague, Sarah Sexton and Frank Nally.
Report layout and cover design Frank Nally and Cathal Doyle
Front Cover Photos:
-Placer Dome Marcopper Mine Marinduque Island by Dr Catherine Coumans,
MiningWatch, Canada;
- Rice fields on Authors Field Trip to Midsalip

The Working Group on Mining in the Philippines
The Working Group on Mining in the Philippines was established in 2007, after the
publication in January that year of the report, Mining in the Philippines: Concerns
and Conflicts. Based in Britain and chaired by the Right Honorable Clare Short MP,
UK’s former Minister of International Development it includes representatives from
the Columban Missionary Society, the Ecumenical Council for Corporate
Responsibility, Philippine Indigenous Peoples’ Links and IUCN- CEESP.
The Authors
Robert Goodland is an environmental scientist specializing in economic
development. He advised the World Bank Group from 1978 through 2001. He then
became the technical director to H.E. Dr. Emil Salim’s independent Extractive
Industry Review (http://www.ifc.org/eir) of the World Bank Group’s portfolio of oil,
gas and mining projects. He was elected president of the International Association of
Impact Assessment, and Metropolitan Chair of the Ecological Society of America.
He was awarded the World Conservation Union’s Coolidge medal in October 2008.
(RbtGoodland@aol.com)
Clive Wicks has 48 years of experience of working in engineering, agriculture and
environment, specializing in the impact of extractive industries on the environment.
He is a vice chair of IUCN-CEESP (IUCN’s Commission on Environmental,
Economic and Social Policy) and co-chairs SEAPRISE (IUCN-CEESP’s Working
Group on the Social and Environmental Accountability of the Private Sector). He
worked in the international environmental movement for the last 24 years, mainly
with WWF UK. He headed WWF UK’s African, Asian and Latin American
programs, and represented WWF at G8, World Bank, International Finance
Corporation, UNEP and UNDP meetings on extractive industries.
(Clivewicks@googlemail.com)
i

Acknowledgements
The Authors wish to thank all those who helped them, both during their trip to the
Philippines and in the last year, for the substantial information provided to help them
with their research. This report would not have been possible without the support of
many people in all the areas visited, including Indigenous Peoples, who opened their
hearts and shared their concerns with the authors about the environmental and human
rights abuses caused by mining. They are the real authors of this report.
However, in view of the vast number of extrajudicial killings that have taken place
since 2001, now believed to be over 1,000, including a Bishop of the Independent
Church, the authors are reluctant to name people or organisations in the Philippines.
The authors admire the many other people, including lawyers, some of whom have
also lost their lives while trying to protect their people from mining industry abuses.
The authors admire the courage of the politicians, bishops, priests, sisters and pastoral
workers of the Catholic Church and the leaders of many other faiths and none and
human rights lawyers who have the courage to speak out against the destruction that
mining is currently and will increasingly cause to their beautiful, fruitful and biodiverse
archipelago. It has been a great honour and a humbling experience for the
authors to work with such brave and committed people.
They would like to thank the Local Governments Units, the Catholic Church,
especially the Columban Missionaries and the bishops, priests, sisters and
communities who welcomed them during their trip and provided accommodation,
transport and food for the team.
The best help the authors could provide was to apply their long years of experience
and professional knowledge of the extractive industry around the world and their
knowledge of environmental and human rights ‘best practise’, laws and conventions
in an impartial and professional way.
They would like to especially thank PAFID for their contribution to the mapping of
the areas visited in their February 2008 Field Trip, LRC-KSK-Friends of the Earth for
their expertise on the law and assisting Indigenous Peoples protect their rights,
Professor Arturo Boquiren, Professor Ernesto Gonzales for their contribution and
insights about the economics of mining versus environmental value and Cathal Doyle
of the Irish Centre for Human Rights for input on the rights of indigenous
peoples.Paul K.
From The Working Group on Mining in the Philippines (WGMP):
The Working Group would like to thank Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks for their
dedication and passion for human rights and environmental justice, which has led
them to generously give of their time and expertise to travel to the Philippines and
answer the call of an ever increasing number of communities to help them protect
their rights, their lands, their lives and livelihoods. We wish to thank Cordaid, the
Holly Hill Charitable Trust, Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation, the Columbans, the
IUCN-CEESP (Commission on Environmental Economic and Social Policy), for their
financial support to realise this report and maps.
ii

Case Study 1: Iron Ore & other Minerals, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur –
Mindanao Island
Table of Contents
Background 75
Water, Food and Livelihoods 77
The Threat of Mining in Midsalip 79
Potential Impacts and Opposition 82
Midsalip Visit 84
Midsalip Conclusion, Recommendation, Extract from UN CERD Submission and
Map 85
ANNEX: Table of Contents for Entire Report Including Case Studies 94
iii

Map of the Philippine Archipelago
Case Study Locations
5. MINDORO NICKEL
PROJECT
6. SIBUYAN
ISLAND
2. LIBAY SIBUTAD
3. TAMPAKAN
SAGITTARIUS
COPPER & GOLD
1. MIDSALIP
4. MATI DAVAO
ORIENTAL PUJADA
BAY
Report and Case Studies available in individual documents at:
http://www.piplinks.org/miningorfood
MAPS associated with these 6 Case Studies
are available at http://www.piplinks.org/maps
73

Provincial Map of the Philippines 1
1 Source Wikipedia
74

Case Study 1: Iron Ore & other Minerals, Midsalip,
Zamboanga del Sur - Mindanao Island
Map of Mindanao and the
Zamboanga Peninsula
Background
The large southern island of
Mindanao has been targeted
for mining since the 1950s.
Because it remains a major
target today, four of the
authors’ six visits were to
places on Mindanao. The
west of the island is the
Zamboanga Peninsula and
comprises three provinces:
Zamboanga del Norte,
Zamboanga del Sur, and
Zamboanga Sibugay. 2
there (14,000) are Subanen Indigenous Peoples. 3
The 29,000-hectare
municipality of Midsalip, in
the heart of the province of
Zamboanga del Sur, has a
population of some
approximately 32,000,
mostly Visayan speakers;
nearly half of the population
The Sugarloaf ridge of volcanic mountains, which has been declared a Key
Biodiversity Area (see Annex H: Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities),
stretches across the southern part of Midsalip, and coincides with the Midsalip portion
2 The Peninsula used to be known as Western Mindanao before the enactment of Presidential Executive
Order No. 36 on 19th September 2001, which designated it as administrative Region IX.
3 The Subanen of Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur province are from the same tribal grouping as the
Subanon in Canatuan in Zamboanga del Norte province (who oppose mining by Canadian mining
company TVI). They are the largest tribal group in the Philippines (300,000) and are the indigenous
inhabitants of the Zamboanga peninsula. Some Subanen in Midsalip also use the phoenitic spelling
Subaanen.
75

of the Sugarloaf Biodiversity Ecosystem, which the national government declared as
High Priority in 2002. 4
Sugarloaf had also been proclaimed as a Forest Reserve nearly 40 years earlier in
1966. 5 But all the forested mountains of Midsalip (apart from Mount Maragang and
the slopes of Mount Pinukis) were logged in the 1970s and 1980s, until a People
Power Picket led by the Catholic Church resulted in the timber license of Sunville
Timber products 6 being cancelled in 1988. One of the goals today of the Subanen
Ministry of the Catholic Church is to protect the remaining Dipterocarp forest. With
assistance from the Irish Government and other donors, the Ministry has facilitated
the Subanen in contouring the steep slopes, and planting fruit trees, trees for
construction and fuel, and rubber and abaca (Musa textilis) trees to supplement their
cash incomes.
The remaining forests of Midsalip are home to a wide variety of trees, plants, birds
and mammals. Indeed, the Department for Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) has listed the Mount Sugarloaf range as a conservation priority area for birds
4 Biological diversity – or “biodiversity” for short – is a general term for the diversity of genes, species
and ecosystems that constitute life on planet Earth. It is defined as "the variability among living
organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and
the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species
and of ecosystems”.. .and .. “In-situ conservation means the conservation of ecosystems and natural
habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural
surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they
have developed their distinctive properties.” (Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity) The
Mount Sugarloaf Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 155) totals 34,419 hectares and covers not only
Midsalip but also the municipalities of Bacungan, Godod, Bayog, Lakewood, Pagadian and Tigbao, in
the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. The mountains include: Buracan,
Tandasag, Mediau (Sugarloaf), Pinukis, Maragang, Bulahan, and Linugen. KBA 204 Moro Gulf
Marine .
5 Philippine Government. Proclamation # LC 2487 of 8/9/1966 declared Sugarloaf a Forest Reserve.
6 TLA No. 352
76

and arthropods. The central part of the Zamboanga Peninsula, which includes part of
Midsalip, is a conservation priority area for terrestrial mammals. 7
For the Subanen who live on the lower slopes of the mountains or adjacent hills, the
forest provides plants and trees for medicine, rattan and wood for rituals, and fuel and
timber for house construction. The Subanen shamans, who honor Pinukis as their
sacred mountain and see it as part of a unified integrated system, not least because it
is the source of three rivers, have foretold of a great disaster if open-cast mining is
carried out in Pinukis and the surrounding mountains.
Water, Food and Livelihoods
The Sugarloaf Complex is one of 34 terrestrial and inland waterway conservation
priority areas in the Philippines, listed and named as being of very high biological
importance 8 and as extremely critical. 9 The three main waterways in the Zamboanga
Peninsula – Sibuguey, Sindangan and Labangan – all originate in The Sugarloaf
Complex in Midsalip. The Kolug, Sungkod and Bulasa streams flow South West from
Mount Pinukis eventually coming together to form the Sibuguey River which enter
the sea in Sibuguey Bay (Marine Conservation Priority Area) in Sibuguey Province. 10
Other smaller streams beginning in the mountain range join other rivers and also out
flow to bays and marine conservation areas. 11 The town of Midsalip depends on the
watershed directly for its water supply, and indirectly for agricultural production,
particularly rice growing and fish raising. Because of the loss of forest cover,
however, water in the town is already rationed during the dry season for several
weeks.
Midsalip has about 860 hectares of rice paddies and 823 hectares of communal
irrigation systems. In recent years, the land has yielded two crops per year of 70 sacks
per hectare, with each sack averaging 70 kilos that sell at 17 pesos per kilo, bringing
the overall annual value to P280,451,108 (~US$ 5.9 million). 12 What is not consumed
by farmers is sold locally and in neighbouring municipalities,
7 Final Report, Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities. A second iteration of the National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Produced by DENR, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau,
Conservation International, Biodiverstiy Conservation Program, University of the Philippines’ Center
for Integrative and Development Studies and the Foundation for the Philippine Environment. See
Conservation Priorities Areas for Conservation and Research Priorities Areas for arthropods p. 33,
Conservation Priority Area Birds, p. 35; and Conservation Priority Area for terrestrial mammals, p. 36.
8 Final Report. Terrestrial and Inland Water Areas of Biological Importance - p. 28
9
Final Report. Terrestrial and Inland Waters Conservations and Priority Area - p. 29
10
Final Report. Marine Conservation Priority Area, p. 38.
11
The Tebed streams form the Labangan River which enters the sea in Illana Bay, and the Duelic
River flows into the Ecuan River which eventually forms the Sindangan River. Other smaller streams
beginning in the mountatin range, from Mounts Buracan, Tandasag, Mediau (Sugarloaf), Bulahan and
Linogen all join the Ecuan River, and then form the Sindangan River that flows into Sindangan Bay,
which is another Marine Conservation Area. See Final Report. Marine Conservation Priority Area p 38
12 1 USD = 47.2520 PHP 13 October 2008 http://www.xe.com/ucc/
77

In the neighbouring province of Zamboanga Sibugay to the south of Midsalip, nearly
six times as much land is planted to rice in irrigated areas (some 9,947 hectares). In
addition, the nearby Labangan River Irrigation System covers 3,195 hectares of
irrigated rice production, while in Sindangan municipality there are 900 hectares of
irrigated rice land.
IRRIGATION AREA (Hectares) POPULATION CROP VALUE*
MIDSALIP 1,683.38 32,000 PHP 280,400,000 13
Municipality
(~US$5,930,000)
SIBUGAY
Province
9,947.00 263,986 PHP 1,660,000,000
(~US$35,100,00)
LABANGAN 3,195.00 11,981 PHP 532,300,000
(~US$11,270,000)
SINDANGAN 900.00 89,738 PHP 150,000,000
Municipality
(~US$3,175,000)
TOTAL 15,725.38 397,705 PHP 2,620,000,000
(~US$55,480,000)
* Figures may not add up as digits have been rounded for ease of reading
The three main rivers and other streams originating in the mountain range support
another source of food and income in Midsalip and neighbouring areas: fishponds.
The Labangan River supports 607 hectares of fishponds in Labangan, but it is the
Sibugay River that supplies the most: 1,443 hectares of fishponds in Kumalarang-
Zamboanga del Sur get their water from the Sibugay River by diversion and channels,
as do 5,906 hectares of fishponds in 11 municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay, 1,752
hectares of fishponds in Kabasalan fishponds, and 2,342 hectares of fishponds in Siay.
FISHPONDS AREA
Hectares
WATER
SOURCE
Labangan
607 Labangan River
Zamboanga del Sur
Kumalarang- 1,443 Sibugay River
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga Sibugay 5,906 Sibugay River
Kabasalan =1,752
Sibugay River
Siay =2,342
TOTAL 8,056
ZAMBOAGA SIBUGAY
Developed Fishpond Area
Marine Sanctuary
Marine Protected Areas
Mangrove Zone
Seasnake Reserve
TOTAL * rounded figure
5,905.60 has
1,262.92 has
341.21 has
500.00 has
10.00 has
8,020.00 has
13 1 USD = 47.2355 PHP Live rates at 14 Oct 2008 http://www.xe.com/ucc/
78

Apart from irrigated rice, farmers in Midsalip, who comprise about 90% of its
population, also grow corn, upland rice, bananas, coconuts, coffee, and a wide variety
of root crops, vegetables, and medicinal plants. To protect the remaining forest cover,
forestry laws need to be strictly implemented, while the farmers need greater access to
education on sustainable methods of agriculture, especially on sloping lands and to
help to reconvert idle grassland back into productive agricultural land. The Subanen
Ministry of the Catholic Church is educating farmers in sustainable methods of
agriculture.
The Threat of Mining in Midsalip
Mining would affect the forests, water and food supplies of Midsalip, and is no
stranger to the municipality. Soon after settlers moved into the area in the 1930s, large
mining companies began their search for minerals. Iron ore is what they found. Three
mining companies were active in Midsalip between 1956 and 1980:
• Surigao Consolidated Mining Co. Inc 14 tunneled for iron ore in Guinabot in
Midsalip between 1956 and 1958. Between 1975 and 1976, the company
planted ipilipil trees used in processing the iron ore. Ipilipil is of the legume
family (Leucaena leucocephala) and is also a source of fertilizer, animal feed,
and timber. It also explored for gold, silver and copper.
• Black Mountain Mining Company drilled for iron ore in the 1960s and
exported 400 tons to Norway.
• Suricon’s sister company, APEX Mining Company, also drilled in Guinabot
and Lumponid in Midsalip and also exported some ore to Norway.
These three Philippine companies apparently withdrew from Midsalip, however,
because of the poor quality of the iron ore, declining prices of precious metals, high
production costs and various natural disasters. Two other companies remained
interested in Midsalip: a Philippine company, Datu Busran Kalaw (BK), was issued
with a mining lease covering 54 hectares in 1974, while a joint venture, Dumon
Mining Company/Red Lion Incorporated, 15 registered a declaration of location with
the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 1981.
As elsewhere in the Philippines, the 1995 Mining Act encouraged several mining
companies to step up their interest in the area, but peoples’ opposition during the
1990s eventually compelled them to leave.
Rio Tinto applied for a 600,000-hectare application for a Financial Technical
Assistance Agreement (FTAA) in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The application included
a 100,000-hectare claim encompassing Midsalip and the surrounding municipalities,
which was called the Sugarloaf FTAA. Rio Tinto Zinc set up five subsidiary
companies, which gave their names to the five Mineral Production Sharing
Agreements (MPSA) applications made within the Sugarloaf FTAA area in October
14 http://bankrupt.com/misc/GO_17A_Dec2005.pdf
15
Dumon Mining Co is based in the Philippines, Red Lion LTD in Hong Kong.
79

1997. (The maximum legal limit for an MPSA is 16,200 hectares, and 81,000 for an
FTAA.) By applying to mine this area, the company totally disregarded the richness
of the ecosystem and the rights of the peoples living within the area, who expressed
their opposition to the companies. After two years of struggle, Rio Tinto, operating
under the name of TEPI (Tropical Exploration Philippines, Incorporated), withdrew
their claim in January 1999.
Meanwhile, in August 1997, Dumon Mining Company/Red Lion Incorporated applied
for an MPSA, and local people again filed petitions against them. Eventually, after
arbitration, the mining companies were denied their application. Red Lion then
invited US mining company Phelps Dodge to investigate the iron ore in Midsalip. In
June 2001, using the company names Makailala and Malampay, these two applied for
a permit to explore 24,000 hectares in Midsalip and the neighbouring municipality,
Dumingag. Just a few months later, however, in October 2001, they withdraw their
application because of community opposition.
Again, in 1997, 3J Mining Company applied for an MPSA covering 1,863 hectares;
again the local people petitioned against granting the application, and again it was
refused.
In the past few years, however, the pace of applications to mine in Midsalip has
increased since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo published Executive Order 270,
the “National Policy Agenda on Revitalizing Mining in the Philippines”, in January
2004, which established the impetus for the Mineral Action Plan.
80

Chronology of Applications to Mine in Midsalip in 21 st Century
March 2004
Jan 2006
March 2004
June 2004
March 2005
Nov 2005
revised Oct 2006
May 2007
August 2007
October 2007
Mindanao Mining and Mineral Resources Corporation
(MMMRC) filed an application for 7,573 hectares in
Midsalip and Bayog (neighbouring municipality)
MMMRC revised its application down to 6,986.25 hectares
in Bayog and Midsalip
Geotechniques and Mines Inc. (GAMI) filed an
application covering 567 hectares.
Cebu Ore Mining and Mineral Resources Corp.
(COMMRC) applied for 4,447 hectares
(within Midsalip) in the Dumon Red/Lion Area
AP Tang Mining Corporation filed an application
for 8,100 hectares in Midsalip, Dumingag and
Suminot (surrounding muncipalities)
TVI made an application covering 7,209 hectares in
Dumingag and Midsalip.
168 Ferrum Pacific (assignee of Cebu Ore) applied for
7,614 hectares in Bayog and Midsalip.
Datu Busran Kalaw (BK) Consolidated Mines Development
Corporation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
with Western Central Mine Trade, Inc. to sell them
magnetite, iron ore at its mining location in Lumponid,
Midsalip
168 Ferrum Pacific applied for 7,614 hectares in Midsalip,
Sominot, Bayog, and Buug
Apart from the Canadian-owned
TVI and AP Tang Mining Phil.
Corporation, which his a subsidiary
of AP Oil International Limited
(Singapore), the companies now
applying to mine in Midsalip and
surrounding areas are controlled by
Filipino business families with links
to financiers or buyers in China,
Korea, Japan, and Singapore. As the
applications indicate, they want to
mine not only in Midsalip, but also
in the surrounding municipalities in
the Sugarloaf watershed, including
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Leson Valley, Sominot, and Dumingag Lakewood and Bayog.
Besides these applications from large companies, “small scale mining” (Minang ug
Bayan) is being encouraged by local and regional politicians in ten barangays
(villages) in Midsalip, while local political leaders in Midsalip are organizing a
similar program. The sheer number of barangays involved belies the claim that this
mining will be small-scale, and could well be a ploy to wrest control of the mineralrich
areas from local people, freeing the government to negotiate with the large
mining companies. (Permits for small-scale mining are issued at provincial rather than
national level.)
The iron ore deposits found so far are mainly at a depth of some 100-200 meters,
meaning that this depth of “overburden” would have to be removed to expose the ore.
Removal of the mountain top and forests would inevitably reduce the river flow,
curtailing the water supply for domestic use, irrigated rice, fishponds, and other
agriculture. The removed mountain top soil would have to go somewhere, and could
well simply be dumped in the valley below or in the rice paddies, reducing still further
the mainstay of livelihood for communities in Midsalip and the surrounding
municipalities.
Moreover, if all these mining
permits get the go-ahead, some of
the mines will need around 100
kilometers of new transport and
infrastructure links (roads,
railways, seaports) to facilitate the
export of iron ore to Japan, China,
Canada and elsewhere, which will
have additional environmental
impacts.
Potential Impacts and
Opposition
The combined environmental
impact of the proposed mines in
the mountains of Midsalip and the
new ore transport routes would be
extremely high. It would impact
the quantity and quality of
available water for domestic use,
schools, and farming. Instead of
having a surplus of rice, the area
could quickly end up with a
shortage if agricultural land is given over to mining. The ensuing hardship could be
all the more serious given the soaring prices of rice in 2008 on international markets.
Timpobia, 16 a community organization of irrigators who together cultivate 269
hectares of rice, stated in their resolution dated 12 June 2005 opposing the mining
16 Timbaboy Poblacion Irrigators Association 12 June 2005
82

application of Geotechniques and Mining Incorporated (GAMI) that, should the
company’s mining application be approved, it would displace or dislocate more than
5,000 farmers/members of their Association.
Mining would pollute not only the fishponds in Midsalip but also those in Sibugay
Bay, Illana Bay, Sindangan Bay and Panguil Bay, and would destroy these areas’
marine sanctuaries, protected areas and species, mangroves and corals. Such
destruction would in turn threaten fish, a staple protein in the Zamboanga Peninsula,
particularly if it became scarce.
In sum, mining in Midsalip, on the scale applied for, means that its remaining forests
will disappear and the indigenous Subanen peoples and local Visayan and Muslim
populations will face loss of livelihoods and displacements for their lands. For the
Subanen it could ultimately result in the cultural destruction. For more than 20 years,
the Subanen people, supported by the Visayan communities, have repeatedly stated,
through letters, petitions, and protests, that they do not want mining in their ancestral
area. 17 Mindanao bishops and clergy in 2008 called on the Government to redirect its
priorities towards food security and develop an agri-aqua based economy instead of
focusing on highly extractive industries such as mining. Leaders of the inter-faith
community have also taken a strong stand against mining.
But the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), in the case of the
applications from GAMI, AP Tang and 168 Ferrum Pacific, sided with the mining
companies. In GAMI’s case, it denied the Subanens their rights to a proper FPIC
(Free and Prior Informed Consent) process, and issued the certificate of precondition
required for exploration, despite opposition from the majority of Subanens to mining
in their sacred mountain range. Similarly, in the case of 168 Ferrum Pacific’s
application, a Subanen community was denied the right of Free and Prior Informed
Consent (FPIC), even though the country’s mining laws clearly state that no mining
should go ahead without the consent of the Indigenous People potentially affected.
The importance of FPIC was reinforced in September 2007 when the United Nations
formally adopted the Declaration on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.
The fact that Sugarloaf is a critical
watershed area should automatically exclude
Midsalip from mining. It is in fact that the
same Government Department (Department
of Environment and Natural Resources,
DENR) which declared Sugarloaf to be a
High Priority Biodiversity Area is allowing
mining companies to proceed with their
applications against the wishes of the great
majority of the people.
Politicians and mining companies are
becoming more shameless in their disrespect
for people’s rights. Cebu Ore has stated that
it has started explorations on 15,390 hectares
17 Petition to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from more than 3,000 Midsalip citizens
83

of what they claim is company-owned property in both Zamboanga and Sibugay
provinces. Some organizations in Midsalip have challenged these property ownership
claims. During 2008, mining companies have entered Subanen lands, tested stones
and taken some away without any permission from the Subanen Indigenous Peoples
Some of the Subanen communities have been trying to restore the ecosystem despite
the challenges facing them, and all the communities are involved in the struggle to
prevent the mining companies entering their ancestral lands. During the past few
years, moreover, politicians have curtailed people’s rights to freely express their
opposition to mining, while, in the last local election, candidates expressing
opposition were not allowed to stand.
Unfortunately, the Philippine Government, both executive and administrative
branches, seem strongly committed to supporting international mining companies in
their plans for open pit mining in Midsalip.
Midsalip Visit
The authors and their team visited Midsalip in February 2008 and met many of the
Subanen Indigenous People, leaders from the Visayan community, settlers, the Mayor
of the Midsalip town, and community members potentially affected by the mining
applications. They traveled through many parts of Midsalip and gained a very clear
picture of the water catchment area, irrigation system, agriculture and fish ponds, all
of which depend upon the mountains in Midsalip for water.
Three main and many smaller rivers and streams would be affected by the proposed
mining in three provinces; agriculture and fish ponds would be destroyed or damaged
if the watershed is affected by siltation or acid drainage. The investment by the
National Irrigation Agency and farmers in irrigation may be wasted; moreover, many
farmers may not be able to repay their loans for irrigation infrastructure and
equipment. The Department of Agriculture would not be able to meet its targets to
increase food production.
The team also gained a clear impression that the whole FPIC process was deeply
flawed in Midsalip. It was not given freely, many Subanen were excluded from the
process, the community was not adequately informed and there were serious
anomalies and violations of the Subanen customary laws in the validation of some
supposed leaders. If mining is forced on the community they will not accept it.
The team also visited the coast to see where the pollution and siltation from the mines
would end up. Many vital fishing grounds would be affected. The authors do not
believe that these people and other stakeholders were consulted adequately or
informed on what mining would do to their environment. If they had been, they would
not give their agreement to mining.
The whole environmental and social study was inadequate and the accumulative
impacts were not properly studied. A full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
(see Annex C) should have been carried out by the Government.
84

Midsalip Conclusion, Recommendation and Map
The authors believe mining and irrigated rice and fish farming are conflicting
activities and are incompatible in an area that produces valuable agricultural and
marine food supplies not only to the peninsula but also to major Philippine cities.
Their ocular survey of the picturesque landscape and visiting the sites of the proposed
exploration and mining tenements lead the authors to conclude that extraction or
exploitation of iron ore and other minerals will severely damage the water catchment
services of Midsalip, undermine the human rights of the Indigenous Subanen people,
reduce agricultural production and damage the ability of future generations to survive
in the area.
Mining will also affect the significant investment of the international community in
reafforestation. It will pollute and cause erosion and siltation of the rivers, exacerbate
geohazard and landslide problems. There will be a risk of flooding and pollution of
the main fish farming and fresh water and marine fish breeding grounds; also the
flooding of lowland communities, which the forest and water catchment currently
protects.
The Indigenous Subanen community will be particularly impacted if mining processes
in their lands. Their right to Free Prior Informed Consent has been denied as the
processes facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) were
seriously flawed. During the fact finding mission of July August 2006 Clare Short
and the team met with the National Ombudsman. She invited the Subanen community
to submit a complaint and promised to act on it. The complaint was submitted in
2006. However, to date there appears to have been no action taken with regard to it.
The NCIP now claims that the Subanen have given their consent to exploration.
The authors recommend that no mining or exploration proceed in Midsalip. The
Government should protect this critical water catchment area, by banning mining in
accordance with the law, and respect the rights of the Subanen people. International
Agencies should help the legitimate Subanen organisations reforest the mountains,
which were damaged by illegal logging, and further their sustainable development
efforts. The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) should provide more technical and
financial resources to the Irrigators’ associations, to keep irrigation channels upgraded
and terracing on the slopes, and, downstream, support existing fish farming, and
protect the key fish breeding grounds from pollution and over-fishing. Existing micro
power projects and local industries based on natural products should be encouraged
by providing adequate financing by government financial institutions.
85

Extract from information provided to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all forms of
Racial Discrimination (UN CERD), August 2008. 18
In 2005 seven large-scale mining applications were filed covering up to 70% of the Subanen ancestal domain in
Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. The first of the seven pending FPIC processes, which is seen as paving the way for
all subsequent applications, was conducted in a manner that was in breach of the FPIC guidelines and in violation
of Subanen customary laws and practices. However, despite the objections of the majority of the Subanen,
represented by TUPUSUMI and Gataw Taasan, 19 the NCIP deemed consent to have been given and issued the
certification of precondition required for exploration. The following are some of the anomalies in this FPIC
process:
1) Imposed decision-making process: Between January 2005 and July 2006 an FPIC process was conducted in
the ancestral domain of the Subanen of Midsalip. The process proceeded despite the Subanon’s rejection of mining
from the outset and their request that the process be halted. Prior to the most recent set of mining applications the
Subanen had repeatedly requested that their rejection of mining be acknowledged by the NCIP as a long-standing
position. 20
2) Flawed leader validation process: This process violated Subanen customary laws and failed to adhere to
requirements of Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) for self-validation of leaders. Instead leader validation was
performed by a select non-representative group. Community members repeatedly stated their objections that many
validated ‘leaders’ had no status under customary law and represented no constituents in the community while
legitimate leaders who represented a significant percentage of Subanen were excluded.
3) Complaints left unaddressed or dismissed: The Subanen submitted complaints to the NCIP Regional Hearing
Officer regarding the leader validation process. However, these and other complaints have gone unaddressed or
were dismissed by the both the NCIP and the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
4) Failure to include all impacted communities in Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process: Only
three barangay (townships) were included in the FPIC process. However, the ancestral domain consists of 24
barangay and the mining application directly affects five barangay and will impact on a further eight.
5) No Community Consensus Building or Consultation: The NCIP failed to carry out the mandatory FPIC steps
of community consensus building. This was despite objections, boycotts and walkouts of legitimate leaders and
community members based on the fact that their customary practices require that leaders consult with and
represent the consensus opinion of the community.
6) Use of FPIC guidelines that were not in force: NCIP based its issuance of the certification on its revised FPIC
implementing guidelines that came into force two months after this FPIC process was finished. The NCIP had
failed to adhere to the mandatory steps in the existing FPIC guidelines requiring ‘a show of hands by the heads of
households’ be held to validate the consensus opinion of the community. Instead the NCIP used the revised
guidelines to attempt to justify its decision that a majority vote of only the validated ‘leaders’ constituted the
consent of the community.
7) Community livelihood concerns not addressed: Fears of the Subanen with regard to the protection of their
rights and the implications for their food security and development objectives for sustainable agriculture,
protection of watershed areas, forests cover and their lands rich biodiversity were not addressed in the FPIC
process. Current global rends in rice and food prices exasperate these concerns.
8) Sacred Mountain Range: The Mount Pinukis (Sugarloaf) ecosystem is considered sacred by the Subanen.
They believe that a great disaster will befall them and all those living in the area if this ecosystem is damaged. Due
to this flawed FPIC process this important issue was not addressed.
In addition to the unwanted encroachment of large scale mining companies, local politicians are currently
declaring land within ancestral domains as segregated small-scale mining areas without first obtaining the FPIC of
indigenous peoples as required by IPRA’s FPIC guidelines and Republic Act 7076, An Act Creating a People's
Small Scale Mining Program and for Other Purposes. The Subanen of Midsalip and Bayog are currently being
impacted by this policy with individual community members and local government officials are being pressurized
strongly to comply with it. The declaration of small-scale mining areas in each municipality and barangay is
strongly promoted by the provincial governor and is being adopted as a strategy to facilitate the entry large scale
mining operations.
18 Provided in the context of CERD’s Early Warning Urgent Action procedure regarding the Subanon of Mt Canatuan,
Zamboanga del Norte. See letters to Philippine Government http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/early-warning.htm
19 TUPUSUMI and Gataw Taasan represent the majority of the Subanen of Midsalip and their leaders as recognized under their
customary laws and on the basis of their constituency in the communities.
20 Following their opposition to Rio Tinto Zinc’s mining applications in 1997 the Subanen had formally requested the NCIP to
recognise their opposition to mining. At the first meetings of this 2005 FPIC process TUPUSUMI and Gataw Taasan submitted
resolutions to the NCIP stating their positions against the mining application.
89

Sustainable Development and Mining Industry in Midsalip,
Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
Midsalip is home to many Indigenous Subanen people who oppose mining on their lands. It is a vital
water catchment area providing water for agricultural and fish farming in three Provinces of
Zamboanga. Midsalip is a major rice producing area. Currently the population of Midsalip is 36,000
but this is expected to rise to 56,000 by 2030. The same sorts of population increases will take place
in the other parts of Zamboanga which makes the protection of the Midsalip water catchment area
critical for the future survival of the population. Water from the rivers could provide electricity from
micro power projects for many villages and towns. Mining will completely undermine the National
Irrigation Administration’s plans for the area.
Eight mining companies currently want to mine in the area. National and International experts have
visited the area and looked at the mining plans. The experts believe Mining and irrigated rice and fish
farming are incompatible and that mining will severely damage the water catchment qualities of
Midsalip, undermine the Human Rights of the Indigenous Subanen people, reduce agricultural
production and damage the ability of future generations to survive in the area. Mining will also pollute
and cause siltation of the rivers flowing into the three Provinces increasing the risks of flooding and
pollution of the main fish farming and fresh water and marine fish breeding grounds which the water
catchment currently protects.
The impacts on the lives of the people will be very severe and this will destabilise the local population
and probably revive security problems. The National and International experts strongly recommend
that the Government respects the rights of the Subanon people, protect the water catchment area,
reforest the hills which were badly damaged by illegally logging, provide more irrigation channels
and terracing on the slopes, support fish farming, protect the key fish breeding grounds from pollution
and over fishing and support micro power projects and local industries based on natural products.
Midsalip Rice Fields and
Water Catchment
Home to Philippines Eagle
An Irrigation cannel
90

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
MINES AND GEO-SCIENCES DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
From Mines Operation map
MINERAL PRODUCTION
SHARING AGREEMENT (MPSA)
PROVINCIAL BOUNDARY/
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY/ROAD/TRAIL
NO. APPLICATION LOCATION MINERAL/S
1. EMACO, INC
Dumninatag ZC/Lintangan,Sibuco,ZDN Bentonite
2. CORINNA MNG.CORP
Mati, Dumalinao, ZDS
Gold, etc
3. CORINNA MNG CORP
Lourdes, Pagadian
do
4. LADAGO MINES INC
Gutalac ZDN
Gold/Chromite
5. ORELINE MNG CORP
R.T. Lim. ZDS
Gold, etc
6. PNOC – ENERGY DEV’T CORP
Payongan, Alicia ZDS
do
7. OCEAN PACIFIC EXPL.
Tampilisan / Titay, ZDN
Manganese, etc
8. EDDIE P. PUY
Depori, Bayog, ZDS
Gold,etc
9. EMILIANO VENERACION
Payongan, Kauswagan, ZDS
do
10. ZAMBO. GOLD MNG PHIL
Canatuan, Tabayo, ZDN
do
11. LUVIMIN CEBU MNG CORP
Lourdes, Pagadian
do
12. ANTONIO V.A. GARCIA
Lourdes, Pagadian
do
13. LUVIMIN CEBU MNG CORP
Sibuguey, Lakewood, ZDS
do
14. CORINNA MINING CORP
Bayog / Diplahan, ZDS
do
15. EMACO, INC
Lintangan, Sibuco, ZDN
Bentonite
16. DIAHAN S GRACIANO
Guinoman, Bayog, ZDS
Gold etc
17. BENJAMIN ZAMORA
Sta. Rosario, R.T. Lim, ZDS
do
18. T VI RESOURCE DEV’T
Canatuan, Siocon, ZDN
do
19. MONTEREAL MNG, CORP
Dumingag, ZDS
Chromite, etc
20. ASIA PACIFIC MIN. SERV. & EXPL
COR
La Paz, ZC
Lakewood, ZDS
Gold etc
do
21. TUNDRA RES, CORP
Taguilon, Sibutad, ZDN
do
22. PHILEX MNG. CORP
Anungon, Sibuco, ZDN
do
23. NORTH ZAMBALES MIN, INC
Vitali, Z.C.
do
24. EMACO, INC.
Anungan, Sibuco, ZDN
do
25. CELEBES MIN. CORP
Labason, Liboy, ZDN
Silica, etc
26. MINGSON AGRO-URBAN CORP Jose Dalman, ZDN
Gold ,etc
27. ROLDAN DALMAN
Gutalac, Baliguian, ZDN
do
28. CORONADO POINTS MNG DEV’T San Ramon, Limpapa, Z.C.
Sand and Gravel
CORP
Siayan, ZDN
Chromite, etc
29. LUVIMIN CEBU MNG CORP
Bonbon, Sindangan, ZDN
Gold, etc
30. ALBERTO O. SIDLAO
Seriac / Sindangan, ZDN
do
31. LASER MNG CORP
Pu ang, Bato, Z.C.
do
32. SINDANGAN BAY MNG. CORP Rizal, ZDN
do
33. BRIGIDA V. LLORENTE
Panganuran, Sibuco, ZDN
do
34. PHILEX GOLD MNG CORP
ZNAC, Lipakan, Tampilisan, ZDN
Chromite,
35. ASIA METALLIC MIN CO
Siraway, ZDN
Hematite
36. LIBRES & SONS MNG & DEV’T CORP Midsalip, ZDS
Gold, etc
37. ASIA METALLIC MIN CO INC
Midsalip. ZDs
Iron , etc
38. DATU BUSRAN KALAW
Dumingag/Molave, ZDS
do
39. DUMON MNG INC/RED LION LTD Midsalip, Aurora, ZDS
Gold, etc
40. 3 - J MNG. INC.
S. Osmena, Polanco,ZDN/Kalawit,ZDS
Iron , etc
41. 3 - J MNG. INC
Payongan, Alicia, ZDS
Chromite,etc
42. L.M. CAMUS ENG’G CORP
Pitago, Tabina, Dimataling,ZDS
Gold, etc
43. HELEN C NOVAL
Kulasian,Tampilisan,Dimataling,ZDS
Limestone
44. R.B.A. MNG, CORP
Gutalac, Labason, ZDN
Manganese, etc
45. OCEAN PACIFIC EXPL. CORP
Aurora, Tukuram, ZDS
Chromite, etc
46. B.B. MINERALS CORP
Tipan, Gutalac, ZDN
Gold, etc
47. J.M.H. INT’L PHIL. INC
Manukan, Jose Dalman, ZDN
Chromite, etc
48. DELRAM MIN. CORP
Monching, Siay, ZDS
Limestone
49. J.M.H. INT’L PHIL, INC
Lapuyan, ZDS
White clay
50. FINE EARTH INDUSTRIES CO, INC Kumalarang, Tigbao, ZDS
Bentonite
51. FINE EARTH INDUSTRIES CO, INC Bulaan, Buug, ZDS
do
52. FINE EARTH INDUSTRIES CO, INC Lintangan, Sibuco, ZDN
Silica, etc
53. FINE EARTH INDUSTRIES CO, INC Ligian, Tungawan, ZDS
Gold, etc
54. ROJUMAN REALITY & DEV’T, INC Dumalinao, ZDS
do
55. ROJUMAN REALITY & DEV’T, INC Lakewood, ZDS
do
56. PELICAN RESOURCES CORP
Lakewood, ZDS
do
57. PATRICK RESOURCES CORP.
Lakewood, ZDS
do
58. VENTURA RESOURCES CORP
Lakewood, ZDS
do
59. ABIGAIL RESOURCES CORP.
Pagadian, ZDS
do
60. SPENCER RESOURCES CORP.
Lakewood, ZDS
do
61. ZAMCORE RESOURCES CORP
Buswagan,Kumdarang, ZDS
do
62. LEONARD RESOURCES CORP
Buswagan, Kumdarang, ZDS
do
63. LINDSAY RESOURCES CORP.
Buswagan, Kumdarang, ZDS
do
64. HORIZON RESOURCES CORP.
do
65. OLYMPIC INT’L SALE CORP.
92

EXPLORATION PERMIT APPL. (EPA)
1. WISE TECH SERVICES INC.
2. EMACO, INC
3. SABANG MFG CO INC
4. LUMINTAO MNG CO, INC
5. NOROLA MNG CO, INC
6. MAKILALA MNG CO INC
7. COROBONG MNG CO INC.
8. KENELL MNG. CORP
9. EMILIANO G VENERACION, JR
10. MALIBATO MNG CO, INC
11. EARTH MOVERS MNG CO
12. SIENNALYN GOLD MNG CO
13. CELEBES MIN., INC
14. RIZAL SILICA CORP
LOCATION
Isabela, Lamitan, Maluso, Basilan Prov
Licomo, Vitali. Z.C
Manicahan, Z.C
Vitali, Z.C
Curuan Z.C
Sibutad, La Libertad, ZDN
Manicahan,Z.C.
Liloy / Labason, ZDN
Payongan, Alicia, ZDS
Dipalog, Dapitan, Polanco, ZDN
Sibuco, ZDN / Vitali, ZC
Ipil / R.T. Lim, ZDS
Pisa Itum, Siraway, ZDN
Bacungan, Godad, ZDN
APPROVED MPSA MINING RIGHTS
1. TRANSTECH INDUSTRIES PHIL., INC
2. VILLOR MNG CORP
3. V.L. CHROME
4. RAMON BOSQUE/BENGUET CORP
5. PHILEX GOLD PHIL., INC
6. A DYNASTY MULTI-PURPOSE COOP
7. SIENNALYN GOLD MNG CO
8. GLICERIO C PESCADOR
9. KENELL MNG CORP.
10. ZAMBOANGA MIN CORP.
APPROVED EXPLORATION PERMIT
1. PNOC – ENERGY DEV’T CORP.
2. SIENNALYN GOLD MNG, INC
Liloy, ZDN
Sindangan, ZDN
Siayan, ZDN
Canatuan, Siacon, ZDN
Taguilan, Sibutad, ZDN
San Miguel, ZDS
R.T. Lim, Ipil. ZDS
Kumalarang, ZDS
Sindangan, ZDN
Balabag, Guinoman, ZDS
Payongan, Alicia, ZDS
Ipil / R.T. Lim ZDS
93

ANNEX Entire Report Table of Contents
Foreword to Second Mining Report
vii
Message from Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr . viii
Message from Bishop. Zacarias C. Jimenez, DD
ix
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary recommendations to the Philippine Government
Summary recommendations to Mining Corporations
Summary recommendations to Development Agencies, NGOs, World Bank
Summary recommendations to the Investor Community
Summary recommendations to Mining-Impacted Communities
xi
xvi
xxi
xxiii
xxv
xxvii
INTRODUCTION 1
Chapter 1: Mining and Food Security 4
1.1 The Importance of Rice 4
1.2 The 2008 Food Price Frenzy 5
1.3 Peak Oil, Peak Food, Peak Phosphate, Peak Water & Peak Stable Climate 7
1.4 Why Does the Philippines Import Rice 8
1.5 Reasons for Decreased Domestic Rice Production 9
Chapter 2: Mining and Forests 11
2.1 Deforestation Harms Rice and Fisheries 11
2.2 The Need for Watershed Conservation 13
2.3 Deforestation Increases Poverty 13
2.4 Indigenous Peoples and Forests 13
2.5 Rainforestation 14
Chapter 3: Mining and Marine Resources 15
3.1 Mining and Fisheries 15
3.2 Pollution From Mining 15
Chapter 4: Flawed Government Policy 18
4.1 Scale of the Mining Problem 18
4.2 Conflict of Interest 20
4.3 DENR Promotes Mining and Demotes Environment 20
4.4 Corruption in Environmental Governance 22
4.5 Philippine Mining Act, 1995 23
4.6 Separate Exploration from Exploitation 29
4.7 Post-Mining Rehabilitation Must Be Enforced 29
4.8 Government and Society Split on the Benefits of Mining 32
Chapter 5: Indigenous Peoples 36
5.1 Indigenous Peoples and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 36
5.2 The Role of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 37
5.3 Rights of Ownership and Ancestral Domain 38
5.4 Right to Develop Lands and Natural Resources 38
5.5 The Right to Benefits 38
94

5.6 Protections Afforded by Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act 39
5.7 Free and Prior Informed Consent 39
5.8 FPIC and ESIA 41
5.9 Indigenous Peoples need Environmental and Social Impact Assessments 42
Chapter 6: Human Rights, Militarization and Mining 44
6.1 Human Rights and Mining 44
6.2 Official Reports Documenting Human Rights Violations 45
6.3 Human Rights, Civil Society and the Catholic Church 47
6.4 The Human Security Act 48
6.4 Further Militarization of Mining Projects and Investment Defense Forces 49
6.5 The Relationship Between DENR and NCIP 51
6.6 DENR Engulfs NCIP 51
Chapter 7: Philippine Mining Economics 53
7.1 Deficiencies in Mining Economics 53
7.2 Internalizing Currently Externalized Costs 54
7.3 Policy Options for Internalization 54
7.4 Benefit Allocation 55
7.5 The Resource Curse 55
7.6 Impact-Benefit Agreements 57
7.7 Assessment of Cost Externalization in Philippine Mining 59
7.8 Mining is the wrong Engine for Growth 61
Chapter 8: The Position of the International Agencies 70
8.1 The World Bank Group 70
8.2 International Development Assistance to DENR 72
FIELD TRIP CASE STUDIES 73
Case Study 1: Iron Ore & other Minerals, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur - Mindanao
Island 75
Background 75
Water, Food and Livelihoods 77
The Threat of Mining in Midsalip 79
Potential Impacts and Opposition 82
Midsalip Visit 84
Midsalip Conclusion, Recommendation and Map 85
Case Study 2: Copper and Gold Mining Zamboanga del Norte - Mindanao Island 94
Background 94
Mining damage 95
Future plans 98
Sibutad and Libay Visit 99
Sibutad and Libay Conclusion, Recommendation and Map 100
Case Study 3: Copper and Gold Mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato – Mindanao
Island 106
Background 106
Threat of a huge open-pit copper and gold mine 108
95

Uncertainty Raising Fears 113
Visit to South Cotabato 118
South Cotabo Conclusion, Recommendation and Map 121
Case Study 4: Nickel and Cobalt in Davao Oriental – Mindanao. The Hallmark
Project 126
Background 126
Proposed Mining 127
Environmental and Social Impacts 129
Opposition and Deficiencies in Consultation 31
Visit to Pujada Bay / Mt Hamiguitan 134
Pujada Bay Conclusion, Recommendation and Map 135
Case Study 5: Nickel Mining – Mindoro Island 142
Background 142
Mining Proposal 143
Opposition 144
Indigenous opposition 145
Visit to Mindoro 148
Company continues to plan 149
Governor Issues Order to Stop Mining Activities 156
Mindoro Conclusion, Recommendation and Map 161
Case Study 6: Gold and Nickel Mining - Sibuyan Island 172
Background 172
Forest Resources Already Threatened 173
Proposed Industrial Mining 173
Opposition 175
Visit to Sibuyan 176
Sibuyan Island Conclusion, Recommendation and Map 177
Recommendations to the Philippine Government 181
Recommendations to Mining Corporations 191
Recommendations to Development Agencies, NGOs & the World Bank Group 196
Recommendations to the Investor Community 199
Recommendations to Mining-Impacted Communities 202
Annex A: Church Declarations and Position Papers on Mining 206
Annex B: Civil Society Reports on Human Rights Violations 212
Annex C: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 213
Annex D: Health Impact Assessment (HIA) 217
Annex E: Literature Cited and Guide to Further Information 221
Annex F: Mines and Communities (MAC): The London Mining Declaration. 246
Annex G: Geohazards and Earthquakes in the Philippines 251
Annex H: Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities 260
96

About the Authors
Robert Goodland is an environmental scientist specializing in economic development.
He advised the World Bank Group from 1978 through 2001. He then became the
technical director to H.E. Dr. Emil Salim’s independent Extractive Industry Review
(eir.org) of the World Bank Group’s portfolio of oil, gas and mining projects. He was
elected president of the International Association of Impact Assessment, and
Metropolitan Chair of the Ecological Society of America. He was awarded the World
Conservation Union’s Coolidge medal in October 2008. (RbtGoodland@aol.com)
Clive Wicks has 48 years of experience of working in engineering, agriculture and
environment, specializing in the impact of extractive industries on the environment. He
is a vice chair of IUCN-CEESP (IUCN’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and
Social Policy) and co-chairs SEAPRISE (IUCN-CEESP’s Working Group on the Social
and Environmental Accountability of the Private Sector). He worked in the international
environmental movement for the last 24 years, mainly with WWF UK. He headed WWF
UK’s African, Asian and Latin American programs, and represented WWF at G8, World
Bank, International Finance Corporation, UNEP and UNDP meetings on extractive
industries. (Clivewicks@googlemail.com)
.. Perhaps reluctantly we come to acknowledge that there are also scars which mark the surface of our
earth: erosion, deforestation, the squandering of the world’s mineral and ocean resources in order to fuel
an insatiable consumption. Some of you come from island nations whose very existence is threatened by
rising water levels; others from nations suffering the effects of devastating drought. God’s wondrous
creation is sometimes experienced as almost hostile to its stewards, even something dangerous. How can
what is “good” appear so threatening ...My dear friends, God’s creation is one and it is good. The
concerns for non-violence, sustainable development, justice and peace, and care for our environment are
of vital importance for humanity.
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, 23rd World Youth Day, Sydney, Australia, July 12-21, 2008
Photos if the fact-finding trip can be found on:
http://workinggrouponmininginthephilippines.blogspot.com
Working Group on Mining in the Philippines
(WGMP)
28 Redington Road, London, NW3 7RB
wgmpuk@tiscali.co.uk
1